This is an archived copy of this article, recovered after a server failure in January 2022.

Some links may be broken, and editing is disabled. We are working to bring back full functionality.

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Flowers - eaten as a vegetable or used as a garnish, especially with sweet desserts[1]. Highly fragrant[1]. Seedpods[2][1]. Used as a famine food when all else fails[3].

Flowers

Leaves

Seedpod

Material uses

A dark blue or purple dye is obtained from the flowers[4].

Unknown part

Dye

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The seeds are aphrodisiac, bitter, diuretic, expectorant, stimulant, stomachic and tonic[5]. An infusion has been used in the treatment of cancer and when mixed with wine it has been used as an antidote to poisonous bites[5].

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - sow early spring in a greenhouse[6]. Germination usually takes place within 2 weeks. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. The seed can also be sown outdoors in situ in mid to late spring.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Matthiola incana. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Succeeds in ordinary garden soil[6]. Prefers a fertile neutral or slightly alkaline soil in full sun[7]. Plants grow best in a sandy soil in a warm, sheltered position[8].

A very ornamental plant[6], it is also a good butterfly plant[9]. Plants are usually biennial or short-lived perennials and are normally grown as annuals in the garden[10]. The wild plant is a perennial with an almost shrubby nature. Garden forms have been bred to have annual or biennial characteristics[8].

The flowers have a strong sweet scent[11].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Matthiola incana. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Matthiola incana.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Matthiola incana
Genus
Matthiola
Family
Brassicaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
Medicinal uses
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
6
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
no shade
Soil PH
Soil Texture
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
  • Strong wind
  • Maritime exposure
Ecosystems
Native Climate Zones
None listed.
Adapted Climate Zones
None listed.
Native Geographical Range
None listed.
Native Environment
None listed.
Ecosystem Niche
None listed.
Root Zone Tendancy
None listed.
Life
Deciduous or Evergreen
?
Herbaceous or Woody
?
Life Cycle
Growth Rate
Mature Size
Fertility
Pollinators
Flower Colour
?
Flower Type

"image:Matthiola incana1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Matthiola incana1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Matthiola incana1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Matthiola incana1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Matthiola incana1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


"image:Matthiola incana1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Matthiola incana1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Matthiola incana1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Matthiola incana1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Matthiola incana1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Matthiola incana1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Matthiola incana1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Matthiola incana1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Matthiola incana1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki."image:Matthiola incana1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki."image:Matthiola incana1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






References

  1. ? 1.01.11.21.3 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
  2. ? 2.02.1 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)
  3. ? 3.03.1 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)
  4. ? 4.04.1 Grae. I. Nature's Colors - Dyes from Plants. MacMillan Publishing Co. New York. ISBN 0-02-544950-8 (1974-00-00)
  5. ? 5.05.15.2 Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. (1986-00-00)
  6. ? 6.06.16.2 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
  7. ? 7.07.1 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
  8. ? 8.08.1 Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2 Pan Books, London. ISBN 0-330-37376-5 (1998-00-00)
  9. ? 9.09.1 Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press (1962-00-00)
  10. ? Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-86318-386-7 (1990-00-00)
  11. ? Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. ISBN 0-7090-5440-8 (1994-00-00)

"image:Matthiola incana1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.